To Snape or Not

Went up there a few years ago as far as Iken, but had some difficulty understanding the more complex turns and touched a couple of times. If it was well marked we'd do it again without hesitation even up to Snape, it would be a lovely idea to go to a concert by river and spend the night there.
 
Shamal said:
it would be a lovely idea to go to a concert by river and spend the night there.
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Too right! Brings back memories of 1968, before the original Maltings concert hall burned down, BBC2 was running a series of televised concerts called "Jazz at the Maltings".

Our school had given us time off, not for good behaviour, but to revise for A-levels. So a friend persuaded his father to lend us his 22' Kestrel at Waldringfield, which we sailed round to Snape quay. Of course, tickets for the greats were like gold dust, and very pricey by 60's schoolboy standards, so we only got to see one concert: the definitive Brubeck quartet featuring Paul Desmond, Gene Wright and Joe Morello, but it was divine. During the days, we loitered around the practice rooms, listening to an amazing range of American and British greats, then off to the pub in the evenings to see the broadcasts, in black and white of course.

Perhaps explains the A-level results....
 
We sailed the race up to Iken church on Saturday. There were plenty of withies up that far. I did speak to the club and it seems that somebody from Snape started from the top and has put some in down to about where the club ran out on the way up. This should be good news, but Andy was rather disparaging about the length and durability of the Snape ones.... He did also mention that one of the barges had come out in a cross breeze and removed a few club ones a week after they went in but he said he had replaced them.
 
Went all the way up to Snape a few weeks ago, above Iken the withies were fairly good except for a solitary one which of course we went the wrong side of! Aside from that it was fairly straightforward, with most having very clear port and starboard flags on top of them. It's well worth going up to Snape and tying up for a bit, it's a lovely spot.
 
Thanks

Very pleased to have found this thread. I lived near Snape from 1959 to 1969 and would love to take our Westerly Konsort Duo up from Chichester - we draw 1.1m and obviously with bilge keels we can take the mud. My wife was very uncertain but I think this thread will help to persuade her! I do hope the withies will be there next summer. My plan is to go up with the tide, and not worry if we touch and have to pause, because this should mean the channel is more obvious. Is that a sensible idea?

Does anyone know whether there is a harbourmaster at Snape, and if so what phone number?
 
TwoHooter said:
Very pleased to have found this thread. I lived near Snape from 1959 to 1969 and would love to take our Westerly Konsort Duo up from Chichester - we draw 1.1m and obviously with bilge keels we can take the mud. My wife was very uncertain but I think this thread will help to persuade her! I do hope the withies will be there next summer. My plan is to go up with the tide, and not worry if we touch and have to pause, because this should mean the channel is more obvious. Is that a sensible idea?

Does anyone know whether there is a harbourmaster at Snape, and if so what phone number?
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It is fairly easy once you have figured it out, would be impossible without withies and I am sure they will continue to placed. The channel is only visible at low water and I woudnt recommend you attempt that. Actually my chartplotter shows some outline of the channel, as does Imray chart and a couple of pilot books.. The tricky bit is the Troublesome Reaches near Iken church, just go slowly and keep a very good lookout.
There is no harbourmaster at the Maltings, its on a first come basis as to where you tie up and I think they gave up charging years ago. If Des is there on his Barge Signet he will advise. try to tie near a ladder as the rise and fall is at least a couple of metres. If you feel you need to talk to the owners just call the main office number on website and talk to the Gooderhams.
You will have water at half tide with your draught and remember its very soft mud. Go for it.
 
Thanks!

@Seashoreman - Many thanks, for starting this thread and replying to me. Our boat is in Chichester harbour at the moment but the plan always was to come east next Spring and all being well we will go up to Snape. I am looking forward to it very much. With bilge keels it really doesn't matter if we get caught out, and the whole thing should be great fun. When we get there I will put up a post on this thread if the moderators haven't closed it and invite you over for a drink.
 
2015 - Are the withies in?

We have arrived at Shotley (from our base at Chichester) and are ready for the final leg to Snape. Does anyone know if the withies have been put in this year?

I phoned the Craft Shop at the Maltings. The trip boat is not running until 13th June "because of the tides". So my plan to follow him is a dud. We have only got until Tuesday, then we need to leave the boat somewhere in Suffolk for just over a week. If there are no withies, and no trip boat to follow, I don't fancy our chances.
 
Re: 2015 - Are the withies in?

TwoHooter said:
We have arrived at Shotley (from our base at Chichester) and are ready for the final leg to Snape. Does anyone know if the withies have been put in this year?

I phoned the Craft Shop at the Maltings. The trip boat is not running until 13th June "because of the tides". So my plan to follow him is a dud. We have only got until Tuesday, then we need to leave the boat somewhere in Suffolk for just over a week. If there are no withies, and no trip boat to follow, I don't fancy our chances.
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I am rushing out the door trying to get away for weekend down to the Butley but have phoned Des the barge-skipper from Snape. He says that there are quite a few withies in place but only the ones left from last year but useful enough. I am sorry I haven't got time to do any further research. Try phoning Aldeburgh Yacht Club on 01728 452562 as they mark the way to Iken.
 
Re: 2015 - Are the withies in?

We went up there in March and the withies were fine. Usual weird bits around Iken but going slowly and a bit early on the flood meant that the half dozen nudges on the mud were inconsequential. The last half mile has to be the most magical trip you can make on the East Coast.
 
Re: 2015 - Are the withies in?

We went up to Barbers Point racing last weekend and there were only the withies from last year. The race up to Iken is 4th July so I guess the annual AYC effort to get some withies in will be before that.

My plan has always been as suggested, go a bit early and slowly and expect to hit a little mud once you get up towards Iken. That said we have never managed to get the yacht up there so I have only ever raced to the mark at the church.
 
Re: 2015 - Are the withies in?

Many years ago we went up in a fin keel Jaguar 27, I did go ahead in the dinghy with a boat hook to find the deeper bits.
 
Re: 2015 - Are the withies in?

PetiteFleur said:
Many years ago we went up in a fin keel Jaguar 27, I did go ahead in the dinghy with a boat hook to find the deeper bits.
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Reminds me of a day trip many years ago, in a hired motorboat from Fowey to lunch at the Ship Inn at Lerryn, dipping an oar as a depth sounder and navigating by a picture postcard (showing low tide) in lieu of a chart. It worked!

Our yacht is now at Ipswich for a while. We will attempt Snape when the trip boat starts running again. Need to do this now because our next boat probably won't be able to get through and I really do want to get to Snape.
 
Re: 2015 - Are the withies in?

As mentioned the withies will be reinstated by AYC for racing, possibly by the end of the month. This seems to be a responsibility that AYC have taken on and should be commended. As for the stretch from Iken Cliffs to the Maltings, I am concerned no one is responsible or in fact interested. It is tricky, ridiculously windy (bendy) and after 30 odd years of personal knowledge I cant guarantee I could do it without a few port/starboard markers.
I have to admit that I have taken the responsibility of Aldeburgh Town Council representative on the Alde and Ore Association and will hope to discuss the needs of visiting boaters to Snape Maltings.
The actual commercial site has recently been sold outright to the Britten-Pears Music Foundation (not the actual name) and phoning any number up (with respect to the shopkeepers and musicians) there will get you little to no knowledge. There never was a harbourmaster but perhaps in the past there were a few folks about who knew the way of the river and tides etc. The boat trip skippers are generally rude and unhelpful if you want my personal opinion. Don't like visitors/yachties etc and have been seen to laugh at vessels aground. Arrogant and unhelpful, but maybe things will change?
I suggest a track taken on your chartplotter and followed very very precisely on return.
As suggested earlier a magical part of the East Coast. Maybe in my dotage I should hire out as a pilot? Cost you a lot of Adnams Ale though!
 
sailorman said:
Is Vic Lasts Fish n Chip shop still there
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Good God Man ( or Blast, should I say ) not only has Vic gone to the place of no return a few years past but the shop has become a mere anonymous semi-detached conversion owned or rented out by somebody that nobody knows. Unfortunately change got its evil hand on this part of the world. Blaxhall Ship seems to keeping up with the old ways but a bit of a walk from the quay.
 
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